Float supply valves



July 3, 1956 F. J. CANTALUPO FLOAT SUPPLY VALVES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1954 Mw W @W 7 .J M \IIFLUI W 3&7 i 9 3: m ii. MM 2 wma M: 5 w I L g July 3, 1956 Filed Jan. 25, 1954 F. J. CANTALUPO FLOAT SUPPLY VALVES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J9 mania J7'Z2zc/s J Cari/5500.

Unite States Patent FLOAT SUPPLY VALVES Francis J. Cantalupo, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Crane Co., Chicago, [1]., a corporation of Illinois Application January 25, 1954, Serial No. 405,857 9 Claims. (Cl. 137-414) This invention relates generally to valves, and, more particularly, it pertains to float supply valves of the type commonly employed in closet tanks or the like, and better known by those skilled in the art as ballcocks.

At the outset, it should be understood that one of the more common difliculties of the conventional slow closing float valve is the tendency of the closure member to chatter and vibrate or to otherwise produce an objectionable noise during the closing thereof, particularly at relatively high pressures.

It is, therefore, one of the prime objectives of this invention to produce a float valve of the above type which has a positive and rapid or snap action closing, thereby eliminating this difficulty.

It is a further object to provide novel actuating means for eifecting this snap action closing which is substantially unaffected by fluid pressures, but operating uniformly and positively upon the water level within the closet tank reaching a certain predetermined height regardless of the line pressure.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon proceeding with the description read in light of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a preferred form of the present invention shown in the open position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a slightly dilferent form shown in the closed position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of still another form.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing figures.

Referring in detail to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, numeral 1 is a fragmentary portion of a closet tank for a toilet bowl through which a float valve Or ballcock generally designated 7 extends by means of the usual fluid tight connection generally at 3, into the bottom of which extends the water supply line 4. Rising from this connection is the standpipe 8 at the upper end of which is connected the valve casing, generally designated 10, as by means of threading at 11.

The valve casing comprises a hollow body portion 12 having an inlet and outlet 13 and 14, respectively, and a centrally located ported seat 15 therebetween. Openill) ing from the outlet 14 is a refill tube 17 only a fragmentary portion of which is shown, its function being the same as in any conventional ballcock assembly. At the lower end of the outlet, the hush tube 19 is connected for filling of the tank in the usual manner.

Extending across the open top of the body is a bonnet or cap member 23 enclosing the same and forming a hollow interior portion 24 therewith, the cap member being secured to the body by means ofthe screws 25.

Extending across the hollow interior portion is a flex-' ible diaphragm 26 of rubber or the like engageable with the ported seat 15 for effecting the closed valve condition. This diaphragm is peripherally mounted at 27 between the body and cap members forming a fluid tight connection between the latter members. The diaphragm divides the hollow interior portion 24 into an upper and lower chamber 28 and 29, respectively, and is provided with a pair of apertures 30 and 31, respectively, the latter being centrally located over the ported seat preferably along the axis thereof and being substantially larger than the other of these apertures which is to the one side of the ported seat and exposed to the inlet fluid at all times. The center portion of the diaphragm is thickened at 33 for the engagement with the ported seat and is further provided with a depending conical portion 34 and extending tubular terminus 35 to the aperture 31 for a purpose to be explained later.

Extending through the top of the cap member 23 is a tubular guide 37. This guide may be formed integrally with the cap member as shown or it may be a separate removable piece. At any rate, the guide itself must be of non-magnetic material or the entire cap member may be constructed of this material if integrally formed or otherwise desired, for a purpose to be explained later. The guide is preferably of cylindrical section, as shown, although any suitable form may be employed. This portion is also enclosed at the top at 39 to prevent the escape of internal fluid, and it further extends into the valve chamber 28 at the bottom to form a stop to thereby limit the upward movement of the diaphragm 26 for the valve open position. The guide is further relieved at the lower end at 40 to permit fluid flow therethrough and into the discharge aperture 31. p

Within the guide portion, a reciprocally movable, conforming pilot valve or closure member 42 is positioned, which is engageable at the lower end and preferably tapered or pointed as at 43, with the diaphragm or primary closure member 26 to close off or seal the central or discharge aperture 31 for the prevention of fluid flow therethrough.

Extending around the guide portion and also conforming thereto a permanent magnet 45 of suitable size and strength is provided of annular form and reciprocal therealong. Pivotally mounted relative to the casing 10 or more particularly to the cap portion 23 thereof is a float member 48, which latter member comprises the float per se 49 and a pair of extending arms 50 and 51 passing on each side of the guide 37 and terminating in apertured end portions 52 and 53, respectively, for swinging movement about the hinge pin 56 extending through the mounting piece 57. The latter piece may either be integral with the cap member 23, or, as shown, connected to the top thereof by means of the screws 25. The permanent magnet 45 rests on the top of the arms 59 and 51 at 60 and 61, respectively, which are of curved or cam shape, the magnet being movable upwardly upon the rising'of the float during the tank filling operation.

When the tank is emptied during the flushing operation and the float falls from the upper position to that shown in Fig. 1, the magnet member is allowed to fall so as to be in closer proximity to the pilot valve or armature 42. The latter member which is constructed of magnetic material is then placed in a much stronger magnetic field and accordingly is caused to move upwardly into contact with the stop shoulder 41 of the guide, from its lower aperture closing position shown in Fig. 3 in a similar form, thereby permitting the escape of fluid from the upper chamber 28 into the outlet 14. Since the central aperture 31 is substantially larger than the side aperture 30, the fluid passing into the upper chamber through the latter flows out faster than it enters so as to seat a lower pressure in the upper chamber. exerted on the lower side of the diaphragm 26 is thus able to move the diaphragm upwardly off the ported seat 15 for the escape of the fluid through the outlet for the open valve condition.

When the float 48 rises the annular magnet 45 is car-- The inlet pressure ried upwardly, the pilot valve 42 remaining at the shoulder 41 of the guide, until the magnetic field around the valve element 42 is weakened to a point where it can no longer support the same in its upper or open position and the latter valve member then drops immediately into the aperture closing or lowermost position by the action of gravity. To facilitate this downward movement, if desired, a light coil spring (not shown) may be employed within the upper part of the guide portion. Upon the closing of the central aperture 31 by engagement of the pilot valve therewith as described, the inlet fluid passing through the side aperture 3i? immediately builds up substantial pressure within the upper chamber 28 suflicient toexert a differential downward force upon the diaphragm 26 causing a responsive, immediateor snap action closure of the latter member into fluid sealing engagement with the ported seat 15.

It is thus seen that the movement of the magnet 45 and the pilot valve 42 actuated thereby is solely trace- I able to the reaching of a predetermined height of liquid in the tank 1 and is independent of the particular liquid pressure available. The desired tank liquid level is therefore maintained regardless of the pressure and when reached the pilot valve is immediately released, thus setting into action the rapid closing movement of the main valve member or diaphragm 26 by the automatic or selfclosing pressure actuation thereof. In this connection, it should be noted that the depending conical portion 34 of the diaphragm is provided in order to minimize the formation of water hammer. Further, the tubular portion 35 extending into the outlet therefrom creates an aspiratory effect thereby to draw off the fluid and further prevent the building up of substantial pressure in the upper chamber 28 for the open valve condition.

The independent actuation which is equally effective regardless'of the fluid pressure present so long as there is some pressure is not only of great importance in a given system having variations in line pressure sometimes of a rather substantial nature, but also in different installations in various localities having widely differing supply pressures. The present valve can therefore be produced in a single final form requiring no field adjustment for installation or during later service and being simplified by the omission of the usual adjustment structure.

Although a pivotally mounted float member has been illustrated in the above form, such member does not necessarily have to be so mounted. Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawing, the valve therein shown is substantially the same as the valve previously described, except for the use of an annular'float 67 extending around the outside of the ballcock 7 and is connected directly to the annular magnet member 45 reciprocally movable along the outside of the tubular guide 37 in the same manner as before described by means of a plurality of spaced, radially extending depending arms 68. The operation of the valve is exactly the same as before and therefore further explanation is not believed necessary. It may be added in connection with the latter form that the float member need not necessarily be made integral with the magnet, but instead may be mounted around the guide portion by means of a collar or closely .fitted formation and engageable with the lower surface of a separate magnet like that of the Fig. 1 form. Also, the float member need not be continuous around the ballcook, but it may be split, or smaller floats on each side may be employed, if desired, for clearance.

Although a diaphragm has been illustrated in both of these forms, the use of such a member also is not essential to this invention, but rather a piston or plunger closure may be provided in lieu thereof. 7

Fig. 4 shows such an installation wherein .the piston or plunger 71 having the respective large and small apertures 31 and 3.2, as in the case of the diaphragm and for the same purpose, which is reciprocally received within the cylindrical portion 72 of the valve body 12. The body is otherwise substantially the same as it was for the Figs. 1 and 3 forms, except for the use of a separate seat member '73 to facilitate boring of the cylindrical portion 7'2 and an open top of less extent calling for a somewhat smaller and fiat bonnet or cap 23 otherwise the same. The plunger 71 is preferably relieved at 74 for tighter contact with the walls of the cylindrical body portion at the top and bottom. The aspirator tube 35 and conical extension 34 are provided as in the case of the diaphragms, these elements as well as the entire valve functioning exactly the same as described in connection with the Fig. 1 form. A relatively light coil spring 77 is preferably employed to help initiate the movement of the plunger towards the closed position.

should be evident from the above explanation that a simple, yet dependable, actuating means for a ballcock or the like has been discovered which is operative to close the valve independently of line pressure variations in a particular system or of widely differing pressures in different installations automatically upon the liquid rising to a predetermined height, thus maintaining the desired water level at all times and requiring no adjustment to the liquid pressure either for installation or in service.

While certain forms have been illustrated and described, it should, of course, be understood that the invention is not limited to these forms or the details thereof, but is subject to wider application and should therefore be measured by the appended claims only falling within the broader spirit of the contribution.

I claim:

1. A float valve comprising in combination a casing having apertured means therewithin and non-magnetic guide means, reciprocally movable means within said guide means engageable with said apertured means for obstructing the flow of fluid through the aperture thereof at substantially one end limit of movement of said movable means, magnet means reciprocally mounted on said guide means effective to move said reciprocally movable means from the aperture obstructing position at substantially one end limit of movement of said magnet means, at least a portion of said reciprocally movable means eing constructed of magnetic material, said magnet means having float means associated therewith operative to shift said magnet means upon rising of the water level to substantially a predetermined height whereby the magnetic field around .said reciprocally movable means is weakened and the same is free to move into the flow restricting position, annular shoulder means for preventing said reciprocally movable means from moving with said magnet means during said rising of the water level to eifect said weakened field around said reciprocally movable means.

2. A float valve comprising in combination a casing having apertured means therewithin and non-magnetic guide means, reciprocally movable means within said guide means engageable with said apertured means for obstructing the flow of fluid through the aperture thereof at substantially one end limit of movement of said movable means, magnet means extending around said guide means and reciprocally movable therealong, said magnet means being eifective to .move said reciprocally movable means from the aperture obstructing positionat substantially-one limit of movement of said magnet means, at least a portion of said reciprocally movable means being constructed of magnetic material, float means pivotally mounted on said casing effective to move said magnet means upon rising of the water level to substantially a predetermined height whereby the magnetic field around said reciprocally movable means is weakened and the same is free to move into the flow restricting position, annular stop means cooperating with said guide means for preventing said reciprocally movable means from moving withsaid magnet means during said rising of the water level to effect said weakened field around said reciprocally movable means.

3. A float valve comprising in combination a casing having apertured means therewithin and non-magnetic guide means, reciprocally movable means within said guide means engageable with said apertured means for obstructing the flow of fluid through the aperture thereof at substantially one end limit of movement of said movable means, magnet means extending around said guide means and reciprocally movable therealong, said magnet means being effective to move said reciprocally movable means from the aperture obstructing position at substantially one limit of movement of said magnet means, at least a portion of said reciprocally movable means being constructed of magnetic material, said magnet means having float means depending therefrom operative to shift said magnet means upon rising of the water level substantially to a predetermined height whereby the magnetic field is weakened around said reciprocally movable means and the same is free to move into the flow restricting position, stop means on said guidegmeans for preventing said reciprocally movable means from moving with said magnet means during said rising of the water level to effect said weakened field around said reciprocally movable means.

4. A float valve comprising in combination a casing having apertured means therewithin and tubular guide means extending therefrom, said guide means being of non-magnetic material, closure means reciprocally movable within said tubular guide means and engageable with said apertured means to seal off the flow of fluid through the aperture thereof, annular magnet means reciprocally mounted on an outer surface portion of said tubular guide means effective to move said closure means from the aperture closing position at substantially one end limit of movement of said magnet means, at least a portion of said closure means being constructed of magnetic material, said magnet means having float means associated therewith operative to support and shift said magnet means upon rising of the water level substantially to a predetermined height whereby the magnetic field around said closure means is weakened and the same is free to move into the aperture closing position, said tubular guide means having inner annular means in predeterminately abutting relation with said closure means for preventing said closure means from moving with said magnet means during said rising of the water level to effect said weakened field around said closure means.

5. In a ballcock, the combination comprising a hollow casing having an inlet and outlet and a ported seat therebetween, a closure member extending across the interior of said casing engageable with said ported seat for the closed valve condition, said closure member dividing said casing into an upper and lower fluid chamber and having a pair of spaced apart apertures extending therethrough, one of said apertures being substantially larger than the other, said casing having guide means of non-magnetic material, a second closure member reciprocally movable within said guide means and engageable with said first closure member to seal off said larger aperture thereof, magnet means reciprocally mounted on an outer cylindrical portion of said guide means effective to move said second closure member from the aperture closing position at substantially one end limit of movement of said magnet means, at least a portion of said second closure member being constructed of magnetic material, said magnet means having float means below and associated therewith operative to shift said magnet means upon rising of the water level to a predetermined height whereby the magnetic field around said second closure member is weakened and the same is free to move into aperture sealing position for subsequent closure of said first closure member upon the creation of substantial back pressure in said upper chamber through the smaller aperture which is exposed to the inlet pressure, end abutting means on the guide means for engaging said closure member and preventing said second closure member from moving with said magnet means 6 during said rising of the water level thereby to provide said weakened field around said second closure member.

6. A ballcock comprising in combination a hollow cas ing having an inlet and outlet and a centrally located ported seat therebetween, a closure member extending across the interior of said casing engageable with said ported seat for the closed valve condition, said closure member dividing said casing into an upper and lower fluid chamber and having a pair of apertures extending therethrough, one of said apertures being positioned over the port in said ported seat and being substantially larger than the other which is to one side of said seat and exposed to the inlet fluid, said casing having centrally positioned combined cap and guide means of non-magnetic material extending therefrom, a second closure member reciprocally movable within said guide means and engageable with said first closure member to cut off or seal the flow of fluid through said larger aperture thereof, magnetic means substantially extending around and reciprocally mounted on an upper outer surface of said guide means effective to move said second closure member from the aperture closing position at substantially one end limit of move ment of said magnet means, at least a portion of said second closure member being of magnetic material, said magnet means having float means associated therewith operative to shift said magnet means upon raising of the water substantially to a predetermined height whereby the magnetic field around said second closure member is weakened and the same is free to drop into the aperture closing position for subsequent closure of said first closure member upon the creation of substantial back pressure in said upper chamber through the smaller aperture, annularly disposed means on said guide means preventing said second closure member from moving with said magnet means during said rising of the water level to provide said weakened field around said second closure member.

7. The subject matter of claim 6, said first closure member comprising a reciprocal plunger, said casing having substantially parallel inner side walls for reception and guidance of said plunger in said reciprocal movement thereof.

8. In a ballcock, the combination comprising a hollow body having an inlet and outlet and a ported seat therebetween, a cap member mounted across the open top of said body to enclose the same and form a hollow interior portion therewith, a flexible diaphragm extending across said hollow interior portion engageable with said ported seat for the closed valve condition, said diaphragm being interposed between said body and cap member for peripheral mounting and fluid tight sealing therebetween and dividing said hollow interior portion in to an upper and lower fluid chamber, said diaphragm having a pair of apertures extending therethrough, one of said apertures being over the port in said ported seat and being substantially larger than the other, the latter being at one side of said seat and being exposed to the inlet fluid, said cap member having a non-magnetic tubular guide extending therefrom, a closure member reciprocally movable within said tubular guide and engageable with said diaphragm to seal off the flow of fluid through said larger aperture thereof, magnet means substantially extending around and being reciprocally mounted on said tubular guide effective to move said closure member from aperture closing position at substantially one end limit of movement of said magnet means, at least a portion of said closure member being of magnetic material, said magnet means having float means associated therewith operative to bear against an underside portion thereof and to shift said magnet means upon rising of the water level substantially to a predetermined height whereby the magnetic field around said closure member is weakened and the same is free to drop into the aperture closing position for subsequent closure of said diaphragm upon the creation of substantial back pressure in said upper chamber through the smaller aperture, said tubular guide having upper stop means engaging an end surface of the said closure member and preventing said closure member from moving upwardly predeterminately with said magnet means during said rise of the water level to effect said weakened field around said closure member.

9. In a ballcock, the combination comprising a hollow body having an inlet and outlet and a ported seat therebetween, a cap member mounted across the open top of said body to enclose the same and form a hollow interior portion therewith, a flexible diaphragm extending across said hollow interior portion engageable with said ported seat for the closed valve condition, said diaphragm being interposed between said body and cap member for .peripheral mounting and fluid tight sealing relation therebetween and dividing said hollow interior portion into an upper and lower fluid chamber, said diaphragm having a pair of apertures extending therethrough, one of said apertures being over the port in said ported seat and being substantially larger than the other which is to one side of said seat and exposed to the inlet fluid, said cap member having a non-magnetic tubular guide extending upwardly therefrom, a closure member reciprocally movable within said tubular guide and engageable with said diaphragm to seal off the flow of fluid through said larger aperture thereof, permanent magnet means extending substantially around a peripheral portion of said tubular guide and being reciprocally movable therealong effective to shift said closure member from aperture closing posi- 7 underportion and move said magnet means upwardly upon rising of the Water level to substantially a predetermined height whereby the magnetic field around said closure member is weakened and the same is free to drop into the aperture closing position for subsequent closure of said diaphragm upon the creation of substantial back pressure in said upper chamber through the smaller aperture, said tubular guide having inner abutting means above the said cap for preventing said closure member from moving with said magnet means during said rise of the water level to effect said weakened field around said closure member.

2,629,401 Miller Feb. 24, 1953 Sogn June 22, 1954 

